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Stereo Headphones for DTB Machines

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2026-NLS-0048Federal

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

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The Library of Congress, through its National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, is soliciting stereo headphones under a full and open competition using Simplified Acquisition Procedures to support patrons with visual or physical reading disabilities. The solicitation, numbered 2026-NLS-0048, is issued as a Request for Proposals for a single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2031, and an estimated value between $100,000 and $2,000,000. The headphones must meet strict technical specifications outlined in Attachment J1, including lightweight design with on-ear cushions, an adjustable headband, a 3.5mm stereo plug, and no exposed metal conductors or sharp edges. They must be safe, easy to use for individuals with disabilities, and include smooth, non-locking controls. Offerors must submit two proposal samples with their bid, which will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis for technical compliance, and if successful, proceed to evaluation of technical approach, past performance, and price under a Best Value Tradeoff process. A twenty-unit production control sample batch must be submitted and approved before any full-scale manufacturing or delivery can occur, and all final units must be packaged in individual plastic bags and labeled with official "Free Matter for the Blind" branding on the top of each carton. The contractor is required to provide a detailed Quality Control Plan, manufacturing procedures, organizational chart, and certification of compliance, along with a one-year warranty covering all delivered units. Delivery and quality control are governed by strict inspection protocols based on ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-1993 standards, with all shipments requiring prior written approval from the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Packaging must comply with exact labeling, orientation, and format requirements, including a black outline box for the address. Pricing is firm-fixed and tiered based on volume thresholds of 1 to 15,000, 15,001 to 30,000, and 30,001 or more units over the contract period, with no additional fees permitted. Invoices must be submitted electronically to NLSAdmin@loc.gov, and contractors must be registered in SAM with a current Unique Entity ID, comply with all applicable FAR clauses including prohibitions on Kaspersky, Chinese

General Info

Library of Congress seeks stereo headphones for blind and print-disabled patrons under a one-year warranty with strict testing and quality requirements.

Agency

Library Of Congress → Contracts ServicesView Agency

NAICS

334310 - Audio and Video Equipment ManufacturingView NAICS

Place of Performance

Washington, DC, 20540, USA

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(4)

J.1 Attachment Stereo Headphones Specifications

PDF•specifications

Past Performance Questionnaire for RFP 030ADV26R0042 - Stereo Headphones

PDF•past-performance

Attachment Pricing Schedule Pricing Tier Table

XLSX•pricing-schedule

Solicitation 030ADV26R0042 for Stereo Headphones IDIQ Contract

PDF•rfp

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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyLibrary Of Congress → Contracts Services
Contacts2 people available
OfficeWashington, DC, 20540, USA
Organization / Agency
Library Of Congress → Contracts Services
View Agency Profile
Office AddressWashington, DC, 20540, USA
Contacts
Brian D. Curl
contact@example.gov
Brenda Kinlay
contact@example.gov

Full Description

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Notice: This is a competitive solicitation for commercial products and commercial services adhering to the requirements of FAR subpart 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR Subpart 6.1, Full and Open Competition with additional information included in this synopsis. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). This is for the procurement of stereo headphones for the Library’s audio playback machines.


The Library of Congress, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) provide a free audiobook and braille library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual or reading disability that makes it difficult to read print. The NLS provides audio playback machines and accessories to Library patrons who are unable to read standard printed material due to physical visual limitations. Stereo headphones are an essential accessory for Library patrons who wish to listen to audiobooks privately or without disturbing others in their immediate surroundings, reduced background noise and distractions and enhanced listening comfort in multiple environments.


The contractor shall develop and produce stereo headphones in accordance with the specification requirements contained in Section C and J1-Attachment -Stereo Headphones Specifications. The contractor shall provide two (2) proposal samples of the proposed stereo headphones for evaluation with its proposal submission. The contractor shall provide twenty (20) production control samples for evaluation and approval. Full production units shall not be manufactured or delivered until written approval of the production control samples has been received from the Library. The contractor shall also provide Quality Control Plan (QCP) and inspection procedures in accordance with the specification requirements. In addition, the contractor shall furnish individual cartons and overpack cartons for the packaging and shipment of the stereo headphones. A one-year warranty covering all stereo headphones furnished under the contract shall also be provided.


This solicitation is being conducted as a full and open competition utilizing a Best Value Trade off source selection process in accordance with FAR 13.5, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Library intends to award a single Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the development and production of stereo headphones to support the Library’s audiobook program by providing patrons with the essential accessories needed to access and enjoy audiobook materials. Under the tradeoff process, the Library will evaluate both price and non-price factors that affect contract award. This process permits tradeoffs amongst price and non-price factors in determining the proposal that represents the best overall value to the Library.


Evaluation Factors For this competition the following evaluation factors will be used to determine the Best Value Tradeoff (BVTO) for the government:


  1. Volume I – Samples for Pre-Award Testing
  2. Volume II - Technical Approach
  3. Volume III - Past Performance
  4. Volume IIII - Price

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(a)(2)(iii), the Library is not required to state the relative importance assigned to each evaluation factor and subfactor.


Important:


  1. Offerors shall submit two (2) proposal samples of each proposed stereo headphone model with their proposal. Pre-award testing samples shall comply with all electrical and technical requirements specified in Section C. However, pre-award testing samples are not required to comply with all physical, mechanical, marking, labeling, or packaging requirements applicable to the production control samples or the final production quantities delivered under the contract. See Section L & M for further details.
  2. The offeror shall include a complete Compliance and Conformance Table with its proposal package. See Section L & M for further details.

The following attachments are included in this notice:


  • J1 - Attachment - Stereo Headphones Specifications (11 Pages)
  • J2 - Attachment - Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (3 Pages)
  • J3 - Attachment - Pricing Schedule (1 Tab)

All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Brian Curl, at BCurl@loc.gov and the Contracting Specialist, Brenda Kinlay, at bkinlay@loc.gov, no later than the response date specified in this solicitation.

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